I have a confession: I’ve had AJ’s interview nearly completed for you guys for several months. ? << Shame-faced emoji right there, in case you can’t see it. The summer runs away with me and I get so distracted by hiking/walking/running outside…

Anyway, I shouldn’t have kept it from you, because AJ is inspiring and has so many great insights to share.

Even though he’s always interviewing others about their expertise and accomplishments, AJ has had enormous success in his private practice and has a great perspective on how to build and run a business. On the podcast, AJ has interviewed over 50 acupuncturists on a huge variety of topics, from honing your acupuncture skills in various specialties to running a successful practice.

In addition to his booming practice in New Jersey, AJ also mentors other acupuncturists through his coaching business, Inner Circle Coaching, to help teach them how to get more patients and achieve practice success. To say he’s busy is an understatement!

Don’t forget to click here(scroll to the bottom) sign up for AJ’s email list and you’ll get his free eBook, 100 Acupuncture Business Tips & Tricks.

Today AJ shares with us:

What inspired him to start Acupuncturist on Fire

How he’s built a successful practice only 4 years after graduation from acupuncture school

What marketing techniques have worked for him

Why he feels passionate that every acupuncturist needs a mentor

And details about Inner Circle Coaching

Let’s chat!

Hi AJ, welcome! Where did you go to school for acupuncture? How long have you been in practice?

I went to the Eastern School of Acupuncture, the only school here in my home state of New Jersey. I’ve been in practice for 4 years.

You run an amazing acupuncture podcast called Acupuncturist on Fire. What inspired you to start the podcast?

I was working with a mentor who had a podcast more in the health and wealth realm but he was pushing me to start a podcast in the health field. I started realizing that there was a lack of something new and exciting in our profession. Also I have such a desire to keep learning and picking the brains of the amazing professionals in our field. So I had my “Ah-ha” moment start the podcast and share knowledge within our profession.

What are your big goals for Acupuncturist on Fire?

There really is no goal for the podcast. Every time I interview someone I learn a ton and then just share it with everyone. I do have goals beyond the podcast but its in the works and maybe I can share that at a later date with you 🙂

Exciting upcoming interviews on Acupuncturist on Fire?

As I’m writing this it’s mid-April; I’m actually flying down to Florida at the end of the month and will be doing my first in-person interview with the acupuncturist that gave me the spark to start the podcast, Dr Tony Wilcox. I showed up on his doorstep a year or two ago asking him a ton of questions and he was so welcoming and shared so much knowledge with me. That’s when I realized, “Wow, I need to record this stuff and share it.” So I’ll be traveling down to interview him and I’m excited to share that with everyone.

If you could interview one special person on Acupuncturist on Fire – anyone at all, even Oprah – who would it be?

It would most likely be Gary Vaynerchuk, fellow New Jerseyian. I would interview him about online strategies for getting people into your brick and mortar business. If you don’t know who he is please look into him, he’s an online monster and knows how to build a business.

Your dad is a chiropractor; what made you choose acupuncture instead of chiropractic?

Well, my father also has a full masters degree in acupuncture, not the 100 hour course some chiropractors take. Knowing both medicines, he says they don’t even compare; that acupuncture is way more powerful and he actually was the one who really influenced me to head down the path of acupuncture rather then chiropractic.

Do you feel like having an entrepreneurial father (running a chiropractic/acupuncture practice) helped you have the booming practice that you have today?

Yes, 100%. But we don’t work together; our offices are maybe a mile apart and are in direct competition with each other. That may have a little bit behind the drive to be successful, haha!

How did you initially start your business after acupuncture school? Were you ever an associate, or did you go right into private practice?

Yes, I first worked with a chiropractor right out of school as an independent contractor. It helped me get experience and gain a lot of knowledge of things I was not aware of.

How long did it take before you felt like you’d “made it” with your business?

I still don’t feel I have made it. I don’t think I ever will. You can never get comfortable or complacent. The competition down the street is always trying to put you out of business. I am always trying to hone my skills and business knowledge constantly, if you are not someone will pass you by.

You have a knack for building up lots of patients in a short period of time. I think when we spoke last year, you’d moved your practice to a new location and rapidly built back up to over 50 patients a week. That’s so impressive! How did you do this? What’s your secret?

There are a few key things I have used, but at the end of the day everyone is so different and what can work for me isn’t going to work for the next person. That is why I feel these cookie cutter coaching programs with scripts and wearing whites coats are not the answer. A few things I have used are Facebook, relationships, my personality, and the skills I have honed to get results for my patients. Without results you will not build a successful business.

What marketing tactics have worked best for you in building your practice?

Facebook, Google reviews, educational talks, and sponsoring events.

Which marketing tactics haven’t worked well for you? Anything that you felt were a waste of time or money?

I would never say anything was a waste of time or a failure. It was just a learning experience to not do that again. Off the top of my head I can’t really think of anything. But I have run Facebook ads that have got me zero patients, and some that have netted me 20 patients. Timing is key.

If you could give current students advice about starting/running their future practices, what would it be? What advice can they put into action right now, in preparation for running a business?

Find a mentor, and they can find a mentor now while even in school.

Favorite part of running a business? Least favorite part?

Favorite is treating the patients and the reward of seeing someone getting better, least favorite is dealing with numbers. I’ve never been a numbers person, so I outsource a lot of my stuff. That’s another thing I’ve learned in business. A truly good businessman knows he can’t do it all or alone. Stick to your strengths and outsource your weaknesses.

What’s the next step for you in your practice or business?

Maybe move again, may head to sunny Florida, start over again 🙂

You might be the only acupuncturist I know who’s not afraid to drop everything and start from scratch in another location. That’s pretty amazing.

Do you have a support network of acupuncturists?

Not in particular, I do have a lot of friends in the business but not a support network.

What’s the best advice someone has given you regarding being a healthcare professional?

Be so good they can’t ignore you. Hone your skills. Become attractive first, then you attract the patient. Many want to attract patients before they are even good.

Any practice building advice that we can all put into action right now to boost our businesses?

Be active online and get Google reviews from clients – they are soooooo powerful.

Do you take insurance?

Yes, I prefer insurance.

Do you have a mentor, or someone in particular who inspires you?

Currently I do not have a paid mentor but I’m looking always looking for one. Acupuncture wise I consider Chad Bong and Matt Callison big mentors. I love the work they do. Internet and business wise, a few mentors I have had in the past and still work with are Tai Lopez and James Swanwick.

You also have an coaching business, called Inner Circle Coaching, where you use your experience to mentor acupuncturists to create their ideal practices. What made you decide to start this side of your business?

I decided to create the inner circle coaching because I see so many acupuncturist struggling in their careers. I have so much passion for helping others create a thriving practice like the multiple practices I have started.

How does it work? How often do you meet or Skype, what does the service look like, etc.?

Yes is Skype or phone meetings, but if the client lives close enough I would meet in person. Weekly meetings setting goals and action plans. Its not a cookie cutter program like most things out there, no scripts or have to do things. I help others work on their strengths and help them get out of their comfort zone and take action.

What kinds of goals do your clients usually have?

They’re often looking to hit a certain amount of money per month or a certain number of clients. Overall though I feel like the ultimate goal for most of my clients is to be happy and have balance. If health, wealth, love, and happiness are in balance then that’s the ultimate life.

Are you currently accepting new coaching clients?

Currently I have a very limited availability but will make exceptions to working with the right clients.

How can people get in touch with you to discuss whether they’re a good fit for Inner Circle Coaching?